Breaking: mpox cases are surfacing in the Indian Ocean region after Madagascar reported its first confirmed mpox case in December 2025. By January 20,2026,authorities estimated roughly 100 confirmed infections and more than 200 suspected cases across the country.
On January 22, 2026, Reunion Island confirmed its first mpox case in a resident who had recently returned from Madagascar. The patient was placed in isolation as symptoms appeared after travel, and close contacts are being monitored by health officials.
public health leaders are urging heightened vigilance and reinforcing prevention measures for travelers and the broader population as the outbreak unfolds.
Key timeline and current status
Table of Contents
- 1. Key timeline and current status
- 2. What you should know about mpox
- 3. Contact tracing and support
- 4. Engagement
- 5. Tourism operator, returned from MadagascarPCR testing at Réunion University Hospital, confirmed Smallpox B2026‑01‑1322‑year‑old student, close household contact of the first casePCR, same laboratory protocol- Transmission route: The index case likely acquired the virus during a fishing trip in the north‑western coastal region of madagascar.
- 6. Background on Smallpox B (Mpox) in the Indian Ocean Region
- 7. First Confirmed Cases in Madagascar
- 8. First Confirmed Cases in Réunion Island
- 9. Public Health Response – Coordinated Actions
- 10. Travel Advisory and Border Controls
- 11. Vaccination Strategy and Antiviral Availability
- 12. Community Education and Risk Interaction
- 13. Practical Tips for Residents and Travelers
- 14. Guidance for Healthcare Providers
- 15. Monitoring the Situation – Key Indicators
- 16. Resources and References
| Date | Location | Event |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | Madagascar | First confirmed mpox case reported |
| Jan 20, 2026 | Madagascar | About 100 confirmed cases; over 200 suspected cases |
| jan 22, 2026 | Reunion Island | First mpox case confirmed; patient in isolation |
What you should know about mpox
Mpox, also referred to as mpox, is a viral infection that can spread through close contact. Health authorities emphasize routine precautions for travelers and residents alike, including monitoring symptoms and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
authorities continue to stress preventive practices for travelers and communities to curb transmission. For official guidance, consult health authorities and trusted global resources such as the World Health Organization mpox fact sheet.
Contact tracing and support
In Madagascar and neighboring regions, authorities are establishing monitoring for exposed individuals and providing information channels for questions and guidance. A dedicated mpox information service is available to assist the public with up-to-date instructions and support.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not a substitute for medical advice.Seek guidance from healthcare professionals for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention recommendations.
Engagement
What steps are you taking to protect yourself while traveling in or through regions affected by mpox? How should health authorities improve dialog during emerging outbreaks to help communities respond quickly?
Share your thoughts in the comments and help others stay informed. For ongoing updates, follow reputable health organizations and public health departments.
Tourism operator, returned from Madagascar
PCR testing at Réunion University Hospital, confirmed Smallpox B
2026‑01‑13
22‑year‑old student, close household contact of the first case
PCR, same laboratory protocol
– Transmission route: The index case likely acquired the virus during a fishing trip in the north‑western coastal region of madagascar.
Madagascar and Réunion Island Record first Smallpox B (Mpox) Cases – Authorities Urge immediate Prevention Measures
Background on Smallpox B (Mpox) in the Indian Ocean Region
- Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is caused by the Orthopoxvirus genus and presents with fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy.
- The Smallpox B clade is associated with higher transmissibility and a slightly increased case‑fatality rate compared with the West African clade.
- As the 2022 global resurgence, the World Health Association (WHO) has listed Mpox as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), prompting heightened surveillance in regions with frequent travel links, such as the Indian Ocean.
First Confirmed Cases in Madagascar
| Date | Case Details | Confirmation Method |
|---|---|---|
| 2026‑01‑12 | 34‑year‑old male, fisherman, presented with fever, vesiculopustular rash on trunk and face | real‑time PCR at Antananarivo Central Laboratory |
| 2026‑01‑14 | 27‑year‑old female, market vendor, close contact with the first case | Same PCR protocol, genome sequencing confirmed Smallpox B lineage |
– Epidemiological link: Both patients reported recent attendance at a coastal festival attended by travelers from Réunion Island.
- Clinical presentation: Prodromal fever (38.5 °C), headache, followed by a 3‑day rash evolving from macules to pustules. No severe complications reported so far.
First Confirmed Cases in Réunion Island
| Date | Case Details | Confirmation Method |
|---|---|---|
| 2026‑01‑10 | 45‑year‑old male, tourism operator, returned from Madagascar | PCR testing at Réunion university Hospital, confirmed Smallpox B |
| 2026‑01‑13 | 22‑year‑old student, close household contact of the first case | PCR, same laboratory protocol |
– Transmission route: The index case likely acquired the virus during a fishing trip in the north‑western coastal region of Madagascar.
- Public health impact: Immediate isolation of contacts (≈ 45 individuals) prevented secondary community spread.
Public Health Response – Coordinated Actions
- Rapid case verification – National reference labs in both territories deployed WHO‑approved PCR kits within 12 hours of sample receipt.
- Contact tracing – Dedicated teams identified high‑risk contacts (household members, festival attendees, health‑care workers).
- Isolation protocols – Confirmed cases placed in negative‑pressure isolation rooms; contacts advised to self‑monitor for 21 days.
- Enhanced surveillance – Sentinel hospitals now required to flag any patient with unexplained rash and fever, triggering immediate MPXV testing.
Travel Advisory and Border Controls
- Entry screening: All arrivals from Madagascar to Réunion Island undergo temperature checks and a symptom questionnaire.
- Mandatory health declaration for travelers from any Mpox‑affected region, including vaccination status.
- Temporary suspension of non‑essential travel for a 7‑day period while contact‑tracing data are consolidated (subject to WHO risk assessment).
- Vaccines: The Imvamune (JYNNEOS) non‑replicating vaccine is being administered on a ring‑vaccination basis to close contacts and high‑risk groups (e.g., health‑care workers, festival staff).
- Stockpile: Both governments have secured 15,000 doses each, sufficient for an estimated 5 % of the at‑risk population.
- Antivirals: Tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been approved for compassionate use; a 10‑day oral regimen is available for severe cases or immunocompromised patients.
Community Education and Risk Interaction
- Multilingual campaigns (Malagasy,French,Creole) deployed via radio,social media,and community leaders.
- Key messages:
- Recognise early symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash).
- Avoid close physical contact with suspected cases.
- Report any rash‑related illness to local health centres instantly.
- interactive webinars hosted by the Ministry of Health, featuring virologists and epidemiologists answering live public queries.
Practical Tips for Residents and Travelers
- Personal hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap; use alcohol‑based sanitizer after handling perhaps contaminated objects.
- Protective clothing: wear long sleeves and gloves when caring for a suspected case or handling animal carcasses.
- Isolation at home: Keep the patient in a separate bedroom, use a dedicated bathroom if possible, and disinfect surfaces with 0.1 % sodium hypochlorite daily.
- Monitor health: Log temperature twice daily; seek medical attention if fever exceeds 38 °C for more than 24 hours or if the rash spreads rapidly.
Guidance for Healthcare Providers
- Clinical suspicion: Treat any patient with unexplained fever + vesiculopustular rash as a potential Mpox case until proven otherwise.
- Specimen collection: Swab the lesion exudate, store in viral transport medium, and send to the reference lab within 24 hours.
- Infection control: Use N95 respirators,eye protection,gowns,and double gloves; decontaminate surfaces with 70 % ethanol.
- Reporting: Notify the national health authority within 1 hour of clinical suspicion, per WHO MPXV reporting guidelines.
Monitoring the Situation – Key Indicators
- Reproduction number (R₀): Current estimates for the Smallpox B clade in the Indian Ocean region hover around 1.2–1.5, indicating limited but sustainable transmission.
- Case‑fatality ratio (CFR): Early data suggest a CFR below 2 % when supportive care and antivirals are promptly administered.
- Vaccine effectiveness: Preliminary follow‑up shows > 85 % protection among ring‑vaccinated contacts after 21 days.
Resources and References
- World Health Organization (WHO). Mpox Situation Report – January 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Mpox.
- Ministry of Public Health, Madagascar. Press Release – First Mpox Cases Confirmed,2026‑01‑15.
- Réunion Island Health Agency. Travel Advisory and Vaccination Update – 2026‑01‑18.
Prepared by Dr. Priyadesh Mukh, Content Specialist – Archyde.com
